As sophomore student Anna Hansen stands on the edge of the board and prepares for her next dive, the sound of hushed anticipation and encouraging chants fill the pool. For the past 7 years, Anna has been an accomplished diver, winning many medals and competing in dive meets across the country.

Anna first began diving for the Grand Rapids Dive Club when she was in 3rd grade. In 7th grade, she moved to Chicago and dove for multiple teams; including, Spartan Dive Club, Chicago Dive Club, and Glenbrook Diving Club

“The training in Chicago was very competitive and intense,” Anna said. “The coaches were very strict and at practice, you would always have to be working hard and competing to be better than all of the other divers.”

Anna says that one of her coaches in Chicago, Alik, was very beneficial and helpful toward her training. He gave her meaningful corrections and she was pushed to do her best everyday.

Last year, Anna returned to Grand Rapids as a freshman and continued her diving at the Grand Rapids Dive Club. Since then, she has joined the FHC Dive Team and placing first at her conference meet, she qualified for the state meet this weekend.

“One thing that I like about diving in Grand Rapids is that you can focus more on improving yourself,” Anna said. “I can do what I need to do and I can do it at my own pace.”

While practicing with the FHC Team, Anna has overcome different diving challenges and accomplished new dives. According to Anna, this season she has conquered her fear of two dives that she has been trying to do for the past year. Part of the reason that she was able to accomplish and work as hard as she did was because of the help of her teammates.

“Everyone on the dive team is very close,” Anna said. “We all go through the same thing and we all [mostly] have the same goals. It’s so much fun to spend time with people who want the same thing as you and are willing to put in the work, while still having fun.”

Anna and her teammates can often be found hanging out before practice, making pit stops at Forest Hills Foods, and dancing along the sidelines of the pool. Anna has proven that she not only has talents in diving, but also in showing off her dance moves at the pool. Recently her teammates awarded her the “JuJu Award” for their annual mock elections.

“Everyone on the team is very talented,” Anna said. “With the meet this weekend, any of us could take the top spot and we all will be working very hard [to accomplish that].”

With this year being her first on the team, Anna has learned and benefited a lot from her teammates and instructors.

“[This year], I have learned that you always should work your hardest and try your best,” Anna said. “The more you work on something the better it will be and it will also transfer to your meets as well.”

In past years, the FHC Swim and Dive team has nearly missed first place. This year due to rival teams being in another division, FHC is hoping to take the win at states.

“I think we have a pretty good shot at winning this year,” Anna said. “We all have been working hard and it would be a great way to end the season if we got a chance to win.”